Page 11 - AB

Monday 1 deceMber 2025 locAl
A10

The stories of “Compa Nanzi”

(Oranjestad)—The most popular character you won’t get away with his schemes. To get to
may hear about in the Caribbean is Anansi, the ocean, the soldier walked a long distance,
known locally on Aruba as “Compa Nanzi”. and where beginning to feel very thirsty. Luckily
Local children grew up hearing the tales of the they passed by a pub, and decided to have a
conniving spider, and his legacy forms part nice cold beer. They set the sack with Nanzi in
of the oral narrative tradition that is common it outside and went to enjoy the refreshments.
in Aruba. Nanzi was still trembling with fear in the sack.

Although the stories are most popular in the What is that he hears? A herd of sheep walk-
Caribbean, “Compa Nanzi” is not entirely un- ing by?
known globally, especially not in the West African “Compadre, listen here!” Nanzi screamed as
region. Brought to the “new world” by enslaved loud as he could. The sheep herder got close
Africans from Ghana, the historical thread of to the sack. “What is this?”
how Nanzi was introduced on Aruba follows
the enslaved Africans in Curacao during the “Man, there is something very beautiful in here
colonial era, which saw the biggest population that you can see. It’s very rare and strange,
of enslaved Africans in the Dutch Caribbean. but indeed, there is something so beautiful in
here that you’ve never seen or will ever see,”
The stories of Compa Nanzi were a sign of hope Nanzi told the herder.
for freedom among the slaves, who passed
around different stories involving the famous The herder, very dumb, believed Nanzi’s word.
spider through word of mouth, due to not be- “Let me see!” he said.
ing able to express their native culture in the “Well if you must insist,” Nanzi said, “I’ll let you
new world. These stories were a way to not take a look, but only for a quick second.” The
only preserve their culture, but it acted as a herder opened the sack, and Nanzi immedi-
medium for relief during the harsh treatment ately jumped out. Before the herder could even
to which they were subjected to. take a look into the sack, Nanzi pushed him in
it, and the herder fell head first in.
It wasn’t until the end of the nineteenth century
that the stories of Nanzi were written down in Nanzi didn’t waste any time, and closed off the
different languages. However, not all stories sack real tight. He then picked up the herder’s
are completely alike in every country, as is the hat and starting walking behind the traveling
risk of oral story telling. However, one thing will sheep as if nothing happened. After a little
always be dominant in Compa Nanzi’s stories: while, the soldiers headed back outside to
his sneaky ways to get what he wants! continue their journey. As they picked up the
sack, the poor herder started screaming to let
How Nanzi fooled the king him out, but the soldiers ignored him, thinking
One day Nanzi was taking a stroll near the castle it was Nanzi.
of Shon Arei, the king. He had this sudden urge
to walk in. He didn’t think too much about it Shon Arei went strolling a while later. He thought
and committed to what he had in mind. It was to himself: “This time Nanzi could not get away
a warm afternoon, and the castle personnel with his foolishness. He probably drowned in
were taking their afternoon nap. Even the sol- that sack ages ago.” That is why, when he saw
dier guarding the castle door was fast asleep, Nanzi walk behind the herd of sheep on the
snoring so loud that his beard bounced up and street, he was flabbergasted again. “Nanzi!
down on his chin. Nanzi just slipped past him, Aren’t you suppose to be at the bottom of
looked back for a moment then walk right on in. the ocean floor?”

Nanzi stumbled upon the king’s quarters. With “I was, Your Majesty,” Nanzi replied. But you
all his excitement he sat in the king’s throne, know what; there are so many things to see
and put on his crown that was hanging on the down there in the sack! Like this herd of sheep.
side of the throne. It was very hot that day, and Seeing that they had no herder, I started walk-
it wasn’t long until Nanzi too fell asleep, right ing behind them and gained their trust pretty
there on the king’s throne. He was so deep quickly. At the bottom of the ocean there are
in sleep and snoring so loud, that even when so many wonderful things, like diamonds, and
the king found him in his seat, Nanzi did not bags of gold. Chests of silver and other pre-
even notice. cious stones,” Nanzi told the king.

Shon Arei was flabbergasted by the sight of “What is that you say?” the king was intrigued.
Nanzi on his throne, wearing his crown. How “I want to see it too!”
disrespectful! “Soldiers, get him!” he com- The king immediately demanded to his sol-
manded. Nanzi was sound asleep, but when diers to be put in a sack and be placed in
the soldiers picked him up, he jumped from the ocean. Naturally, Shon Arei died because
fright. By then though, the soldier already had of this. He was never found again. Nanzi fol-
him in their hold. lowed the soldier back to the castle, where
sat once again on the late king’s thrown and
“Put him in a sack, stitch it up and throw him put his crown on. He took possession of all of
in the ocean!” the king said furiously. Two sol- Shon Arei’s belongings, and lived the rest of
diers immediately entered the chamber, took his life as king.q
the crown off Nanzi’s head and pushed him
in a sack. Story and pictures are from “Kon Nanzi a Nek
Shon Arei (i otro kuentanan antiano di e araña
Nanzi was terrified; it looks like this time he sabi)” by Nilda Pinto.